Friday, November 02, 2007

Updates: Linwood--No To Feds!

In what should go down as the least surprising development of the lacrosse case, Linwood Wilson's lawyer, Fred Battaglia, told the Herald-Sun that he opposes a Department of Justice inquiry into the case. Since such an inquiry could culminate in Wilson's incarceration, it's not too hard to understand Battaglia's rationale.

More surprising is the opinion of John Fitzpatrick, former Nifong donor and head of the Durham Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. Upon learning that the attorney general of his state had requested a federal investigation, Fitzpatrick responded, "If a federal investigation is what they want, let them proceed. But let their motives be pure. Let's hope it isn't fueled by vindictiveness." Fitzpatrick provided no reason to believe that the motives of Cooper and his aides were impure.

Finally, in today's Chronicle, a measured advertisement from the Duke Conservative Union, urging an apology from the Group of 88 and the students who rushed to judgment in spring 2006. Although the DCU request is a reasonable one, I fear that it will be rejected. If we have learned nothing else from the last 18 months, it is that the Group of 88 has no shame.

134 comments:

Anonymous
said...

Last night I was cleaning out my garage and came across the May-June 2004 Duke Magazine. How prescient the lead article, We Apologize," by Robert Bliwise was. To jog the memory of any of you who read it, the cover is a Roy Lichenstein-style cartoon of a women with a tear in her eye and a bubble stating "I'm Sorry." At the bottom of the front cover is the following text: PUBLIC APOLOGIES: Expressions of sincerity or mere lip service?

A sample quotation: The public apology, like comedic irony, seems inescapapble in modern culture. What it signals, though, isn't so much sincerity and repentance as shallowness and self-serving manipulation.

Providing some historic background beginning with Socrates, Bliwise discusses such notable apologies as those of Billy Rose, Jimmy Swaggart, Bill Clinton, Trent Lott, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Janet Jackson, and Abdul Qadeer Khan. A number of Duke professors addressed the subject of apologies, including the Duke Divinity School Dean L. Gregory Jones, who was skeptical about the extent of true penitence in the modern public apologies, and Duke professor of divinity and law, Jefferson Powell, who stated that the prevalence of the public apology signals a "general leeching out of American life of real substance." Also quoted were Gavan Fitzsimons, associate professor of marketing at Fuqua, and Michael Munger, chair of the political science department. And to quote Bliwise again, "As both Jones and Powell see it, repentance that doesn't express itself in action is not true repentance."

Bliwise needs to update this article to take into account the actions of the hoax enablers and the apology of Brodhead. With so many Duke professors interested in the subject, a major seminar with academic illuminaries, is in order. Maybe those at the John Hope Franklin Center can cook one up.

The advertisement from The Duke Conservative Union is very good. I really liked this bit:

"It takes courage to accept the truth, especially when it proves you wrong. Scholars, above all people, should be the first to recognize this ...."

Perhaps medical doctors and world leaders have a greater responsibility to acknowledge mistakes and improper assumptions, but scholars do have a special duty as well. Another good bit is this:

"As long as these individuals remain silent, we can only assume that which would be most deplorable: They still do not realize that their actions were wrong and hurtful; that their judgment was incorrect."

There is a similar presumption found in the law in most jurisdictions. If a party "accidentally" destroys evidence, the jury can presume the worst possible meaning from the missing evidence. The same goes for a witness who "takes the Fifth."

It is good that the pressure still exists on campus to require the Gang of 88 to confront their actions. It would be even better if the Duke Chronicle reinstated their message board. There may be a similar kind of "presumption" raised by its continuing absence. MOO! Gregory

April 2, 2006 — Rev. Sam Wells, Dean of the Duke Chapel, gives a sermon in which he denounces the lacrosse team.

He discusses an incident with "disputed facts of an ugly evening." An incident rooted in "a disturbingly extensive experience of sexual violence, of abiding racism, of crimes rarely reported and perpetrators seldom named, confronted, or convicted, of lives deeply scarred, of hurt and pain long suppressed.

The activists among us shout loudly about reckless drinking, the reputation of particular sports teams, the sense of entitlement, the need to reassess what it means to be a man..."

"The last week has exposed the reality that sexual practices are an area where some male students are accustomed to manipulating, exploiting and terrorizing women all the time – and that this has been accepted by many as a given."

Rev. Sam Wells, Dean of the Chapel, called a "subculture of reckless 'entitlement,' sexual acquisitiveness and aggressive arrogance."

It seems that many here and on the Liestoppers blog have voiced concern about the University of Delaware program of indoctrination. Certain members of the Duke community actually attempted to achieve the same goal in a different way. On page 14 of the Campus Culture Initiative report, it is noted:

"Currently, students are required to take two Cross Cultural courses to enhance their abilities to evaluate complex and difficult issues from multiple perspectives, to identify culture and cultural difference across time or place, and to encourage critical and responsible attention to issues of identity, diversity, globalization, and power."

That is the CURRENT program. Duke acknowledged that officially "[s]ome 36% ... of all Arts and Sciences courses" meet this Cross Cultural requirement. The CCI Report also included a recommendation for changes in the future:

"1. Modify the Cross Cultural Inquiry curricular requirements so that one of the two required courses has a primary focus on racial, ethnic, class, religious, and/or sexual/gender differences in the United States.

2. Develop the necessary infrastructure to support and promote an increased array of experiential learning opportunities – international, domestic, and those that focus on Durham – that connect to substantive areas of scholarship and institutional priorities and that address one or more of these objectives: creating community, engaging difference, and promoting cross-cultural understanding."

The CCI Report also recommended:

"5. Redouble efforts to recruit women and minority faculty by emphasizing diversity not as an add-on activity, but as a value intimately attached to Duke’s central institutional goal of excellence."

3. Aggressively recruit international students and high-achieving applicants from underrepresented groups and increase financial aid to attract those students."

These recommendations were made AFTER the embarrassment of the "Listening ad" and the "Clarifying Statement," the Baker letter and e-mails, the Chafe and Holloway articles, etc. What would they have planned for Duke but for that little embarrassment? MOO! Gregory

Parents weekend 'starts' tomorrow. Hopefully many parents will see or be shown this ad.

More hopefully, this ad will be shown to, and encourage proactive response by, the many Duke students and parents who are totally disgusted by the admin. and faculty who supported the 'fantastic lies'.

The advertisement by the Duke Conservative Union was more eloquent and honest than anything I have seen from the G88 and their fellow travelers. In fact, unlike the G88, who rushed to judgment and assumed that a lie was the truth, the DCU goes out of its way to give the worst elements in this story the benefit of the doubt.

The advertisement by the Duke Conservative Union was more eloquent and honest than anything I have seen from the G88 and their fellow travelers. In fact, unlike the G88, who rushed to judgment and assumed that a lie was the truth, the DCU goes out of its way to give the worst elements in this story the benefit of the doubt.

There is a 0% chance that anyone from the Group of 88 will apologize for anything they've done or said over the past year and a half. Assuming that any of those hacks have the moral or intellectual courage to admit they've made a mistake (which is a enormous stretch), I believe that most if not all of the group believe their words and actions are still perfectly justified. To them, the facts of this singular case are completely irrelevant, and we give the group members far too much credit if we expect them to question their distorted view of reality based upon the outcome of this affair. Perhaps in this singular case no crime was committed, but that doesn't excuse the white male's centuries-long history of subjugation, violence, and sexual domination, so the group's statement is just as relevant today as it was when we all thought the players were guilty. As warped and ridiculous as that sounds, who would disagree that it represents the majority of the group members' views?

That advertisement is a signal statement that all at Duke should heed. We wait and watch.

Oh, yes and we are listening.

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Addendum: As it turns out, it appears that the ad was written (or at least endorsed) by the son of a Phi Kap fraternity brother from the early 1970's. A really good guy -- nickname "Conan". Appears the apple didn't fall far from the tree.

It's worth noting that Mr. Monds in this first letter was head of Durham's NAACP several years ago and is one of the nicest people I have ever met. He always tried to smooth race relations in Durham; however, the rest of the black community would not allow him to be very successful.

Monds is married to a white woman and together they have a lovely family....which is deeply recented by some radical racists in Durham.

Once, Monds was even physically assaulted by fellow members of the Durham NAACP because he disagreed with them on an issue.

He is a wonderful person; however, he's dead wrong on his comments below. Bell has done almost nothing to lead that town.....and by the rest of the Triangle, Durham is not considered the place most would choose to live, contrary to Monds' assertion.

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Bell's positive leadership

The City of Durham has been very well represented and led by Mayor Bill Bell.

His quiet but effective leadership has made Durham a safer and a more desirable place to live and work, and has given the city a more positive image during his tenure.

If one thinks back a few years, the city of Durham was considered the most undesirable of the Triangle communities, but today it is considered one of the best places, if not the best, to raise a family and to work, leading the way in several initiatives, not only in the Triangle, but across the nation. Much of this is attributable to the leadership of Mayor Bill Bell.

Contrast his style with that of his opponent, who is attempting inaccurately to portray the city as a haven for crime, permitting inefficient and ineffective government management and a place hostile to businesses.

Given the choice of a leader who can effect fair and positive change and growth (Bill Bell), or one who concentrates on the negatives without a plan and without a history of bringing the community together for forward progress (his opponent), the choice is clear.

I urge Durham voters to re-elect Bill Bell as mayor so we can become more inclusive rather than divisive, and so we can continue to build a greater Durham together.

HARRY C. MONDSDurhamNovember 2, 2007

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Paper loses touch

There was a time when The Herald-Sun covered local sports with both word and pictures. No more. In the past a soccer game, such as the barn burner played by Jordan and Chapel Hill last Thursday for the conference title, would have been covered by both a photographer and reporter with extensive interviews of coaches and players. Jordan's penalty kick shootout win, in doubt until the final strike, was played in a journalistic vacuum.

Except for coverage of local college sports, a subject about which we can find all we want to know on-line, the local stories are few and far between. Warmed over Associated Press stories are about all we get.

If The Herald-Sun wants to distinguish itself in the Triangle, it would give thought to more thorough coverage of the sports played by our sons and daughters. We cancelled our subscription a year ago, primarily because of irregular delivery, but also because The Herald-Sun has lost touch with our local sports scene. I'm sure it has to do with the skeleton crew in the sports department and the bottom line. I would hate to see the day when Durham no longer has a newspaper to call its own.

A.J. Donaldson: Come on Coz, tell both sides of the African-American story

Guest ColumnistThe Herald-SunNov 2, 2007

Recently, Bill Cosby and Dr. Alvin F. Poussaint appeared on "Larry King Live" to promote their book titled, "Come On, People: On the Path from Victim to Victors." The book targets and exposes troubling issues in the black community, those involving its men in particular.

Cosby presents hard facts and statistics to verify his claims and to validate his shame. For example, he presents numbing numbers to show how far the black community has fallen:

- Seventy percent of black children are born into single parent households led by black women.

- Black couples have a divorce rate of 60 percent.

- Homicides are the No. 1 cause of death for black men between the ages of 15-29.

- Ninety-four percent of black murders are black-on-black crimes.

- Black males have high school dropout rates of almost 50 percent.

Cosby not only airs dirty laundry in the remaining 250 pages of the book, he manages to soil the clean garments of black excellence by focusing on the negatives while ignoring the positives. Furthermore, he offers little detergent to wash away the stains on the moral fabric of our community. In other words, Cosby provides few solutions and does not credit black progress.

Quite frankly, Bill Cosby does tell the absolute truth, and I admit the truth does hurt, but what about the positives? He notes that black crimes have increased since the civil rights movement of the 1960s, but the black middle class has expanded significantly as well.

Yes, there are more black women in college than black men, but that also means there are more black people in college, regardless of gender. I empathize with Cosby about the crisis involving young black men, but the residue of racism has played a big role in leading so many of them down the wrong path. I understand that every person is responsible for his or her own actions, but you can't put a timeline on freedom development.

I have a few questions for Cosby. How long should it take for black rehabilitation? What is the required turn-around time for a once enslaved people still struggling with the vestiges or racism? Yes, Cosby is correct when he states "black youths are in a state of an emergency." However, the emergency has been caused by the state -- the United States.

Indeed, parents should play an active role in the lives of their children, whether black or white. It all starts in the home. But our government must invest in the future of our children, both socially and financially. What about reparations? Should not America pay?

Opponents argue that black reparations would not solve anything. They also claim blacks would only mishandle and squander their inheritance. Their arguments might have some validity.

But would reparations in the form of education be adequate? I think not. The lineage of education is critical in the development of any child, especially for African Americans. Children raised in a household whose parents received a college education are more likely to attend college than those children who come from a household where the parents did not attend college. In America, the latter group of children are predominately black, thus they end up with fewer options, and are too often reduced to a life of vagrancy and crime to survive. Also, a lot of kids do want to attend school, but they just can't afford to go. Unfortunately, black children are disproportionately left behind.

Generations and generations of black families have endured the cyclical conditions of poverty and racism. Even though the ancestors of African Americans helped build America, their descendants have not been compensated for their free slave labor. Therefore, the black youths of today have inherited the impoverished legacy of their ancestors.

Initially I thought Bill Cosby's portrayal of African Americans was completely unfair, however, when he divorced himself from the likes of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, I forgave him. Overall, I honestly believe Bill Cosby is genuine, but I am critical of his lack of balance regarding issues concerning Black America.

I actually respect him for his courage to undertake such a crucial task to address these issues. However, one must present both sides.

Regardless of his approach, there is no black leader more qualified than Cosby to call out black people. Ultimately, the parasitic problems within the black community will only be overcome when each child has his or her own epiphany. Once a person taps into his potential and develops a will to cultivate his dream, he can break the curse within his family and save himself from destruction.

We must encourage everyone to dream, but most importantly we must ensure a child's dream is not deferred. So come on, Cosby. tell the whole story.

A.J. Donaldson is a first year graduate student at N.C. Central University.

Linwood cannot go to prison. He has already "found Jesus," so there would be nothing for him to do. Well, I guess he could lift weights and work on a fancy prison tat. I suggest "CGM" in a heart with a dagger through it for his left shoulder.

In other news, John Fitzpatrick of the Durham Criminally Insane Lawyers Association worries that "vindictiveness" might fuel a federal inquiry? A vindictiveness that waits 18 months to S T A R T an investigation? Well that pot must be ready to explode since it must have been boiling, unnoticed, for 18 months!

How exactly is the federal government in Washington, D.C. supposed to be vindictive about Durham? How is the New Jersey U.S. Attorney's office vindictive about Durham? We know that Anna Waggoner is not vindictive - she has had more than enough evidence for months, and she has done nothing. Fitzpatrick should either choose his words more wisely or be more subtle about his agenda.

With all due respect to the author(s) of the DCU advertisement, it takes courage to patrol the streets of Baghdad. There would be few consequences of moment to an 88er who apologizes. Indeed, the benefits of an apology might even outweigh the burdens. It would not take courage to apologize, it would take integrity. Try finding that among the 88 et al.

All politicians have to "slum" for votes. It's just the nature of the beast; however, I don't think Obama would have gone to Durham and would have endorsed Bill Bell along party lines over Thomas Stith if knew more about the place and the PACs that have run it for decades.

Bell did the same thing in the last election.

The sleazy Clinton fundraiser Terry McAuliffe came to Durham then with a Bell endorsement.

You know why? For the same reason the race-baiters in Durham get endorsements from NC Democrat officials in Raleigh.

It's all to ensure the huge black constituency will be delivered on election day.

I don't fault Obama for going to NCCU.....but he should know they are the very people who supported the Lacrosse Hoax which he, himself, spoke out against when John Edwards would not.

So you want reparations??? Do you want that for every person who has ever been enslaved by another? For the "innocents of the world"? For the American Indian? For all those who were victims of Colonialsm? For the handicapped?

Come on. You need to work in the real world awhile and get out of the dreamland of university world. In this day and age, the marginally competent blacks are beating out the whites in education and in most social programs.

Reparations? Just who would pay? And why? Racial injustice and unfairness have dogged the human race since the earliest days of recorded history.

I, for one, refuse to sit still any longer and keep my mouth shut because of fear of being called a racist. I went to a college that has been integrated since BEFORE the Civil War. When I invited my black girlfriend classmate home with me for Thanksgiving ( in the '60s) and she soberly told me she could not come because she was afraid it might cause trouble for ME, I was astonished. I have been color blind all my life and I am a Southerner.

But recently, I have had a rude awakening.

The Lacrosse scandal and this blogsite have opened my eyes to a new wave of racism. And it is black against white. And it is no prettier today than when the roles were reversed 40 years ago.

This will only end when people, no matter which color, quit looking for somebody else to blame. Blaming others never changed anybody. Neither the blamer, nor the blamed, can move on because they are tied to the guilty/ victim roles.

My simple little momma, now 95 years old, had the right word for it: "Pretty is as pretty does".

When the black men and women step into their rightful roles and responsibilities in this society, and SO DO ALL THE OTHER RACES, ETHNIC GROUPS, ETC. and assume PERSONAL accountability for themselves, and insist on it for their children, we will see a change. Not before.

When the black men stop their selfish, lustful behaviors of using their OWN women for sex, then leaving them to raise the babies... when the black mothers, those glorious women, teach their girls that they are too beautiful and to precious to be used for one-night stands, and they deserve to have more and be more, we will see a change.

When the young women decide they want more out of life... and are willing to do what it takes to get it, then we will see a change.

Don't knock Judge Thomas, or Bill Cosby or anybody else who has paved the way for you. It is not right, fair, nor accurate to hold any person up to scrutiny in today's light and forget the historical and social perspective of when they were making their way... fighting their battles...20-30-40 years ago. You have to judge them in the light of their own era, not today's.

We don't need to re-write history, or sling mud at others whose walk have paved our paths. We just need to write our own history and make our own difference.

If you will focus more on responsibilities ( forward looking) and less on reparations ( backward looking) you might make a real difference in your generation.

Meanwhile, I hope that at NC Central they have some professors who are intellectually and morally honest enough to challenge you to work for freedom for ALL people. If you can look back on your life and find you have done as much GOOD as Bill Cosby, given your own time and place, you will have a lot to be proud of.

Nobody ever erected a statue to a critic.

Get busy. Do something deserving of respect. Take your lessons into society. Dirty your hands in the real world. And for crying out loud, don't become a professor until you have actually grappled with some real-time issues in the real world. Then your teaching will have the tinge of authenticity and you will not become just another PC professor... we have had our fill of them!!!

I wish you well. Most of all, I wish you the humble pursuit of freedom for ALL.

The City of Durham has been very well represented and led by Mayor Bill Bell.

His quiet but effective leadership has made Durham a safer and a more desirable place to live and work, and has given the city a more positive image during his tenure.

If one thinks back a few years, the city of Durham was considered the most undesirable of the Triangle communities, but today it is considered one of the best places, if not the best, to raise a family and to work, leading the way in several initiatives, not only in the Triangle, but across the nation. Much of this is attributable to the leadership of Mayor Bill Bell.

Contrast his style with that of his opponent, who is attempting inaccurately to portray the city as a haven for crime, permitting inefficient and ineffective government management and a place hostile to businesses.

Given the choice of a leader who can effect fair and positive change and growth (Bill Bell), or one who concentrates on the negatives without a plan and without a history of bringing the community together for forward progress (his opponent), the choice is clear.

I urge Durham voters to re-elect Bill Bell as mayor so we can become more inclusive rather than divisive, and so we can continue to build a greater Durham together.

HARRY C. MONDSDurhamNovember 2, 2007

WHAT alternate universe does Mr. Monds live in?

"If one thinks back a few years, the city of Durham was considered the most undesirable of the Triangle communities, but today it is considered one of the best places, if not the best, to raise a family and to work,"

No offense to Durhamites, but Durham is about the last place I would *ever* want to live or raise my family.

I say this from Atlanta (another town run by crooked, bigoted blacks--but they're not nearly as nefarious as those in Durham), and even here we view Durham (and Duke) as pretty much the laughing stock of this nation.

Durham is a Banana Republic and is certainly NOT desirable place to live under current circumstances--and the whole WORLD (not just the US) knows it.

Mr. Monds needs to remove his virtual reality glasses and view the REAL Durham as it *truly* is.

"There is a similar presumption found in the law in most jurisdictions. If a party 'accidentally' destroys evidence, the jury can presume the worst possible meaning from the missing evidence. The same goes for a witness who 'takes the Fifth.'"

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Hey genius, the law says exactly the opposite about "taking the fifth".

"Hey genius, the law says exactly the opposite about 'taking the fifth'."--------

Before someone else corrects me, let me correct myself:

What I was referring to, was that the normal rule in a criminal case (contrary to what I thought the other poster was implying) permits no negative inference from a defendant’s failure to testify. This is important, so I over-reacted.

But, I didn't mean to deny that there are other contexts where a witness "taking the fifth" does allow a negative inference to be drawn. I apologize for the overly broad and blunt wording of my earlier statement.

Why would Linwood need a lawyer if he didn't do anything wrong.....Why would Linwood's lawyer think Linwood would be incarcerated if there is a Fed Investigation if his client wasn't guility.....something to think about. They will be copping plea deals all over Durham.... Mayor Bell should be the first to be investigated....He ran the show from the top down.

Among the many ironies in the G88's refusal to apologize is that either Holloway or Lubiano (I don't remember which) claimed that the one of the reasons for the listening statement was that professors should give voice to student concerns. Some 1,000 Duke students of all political stripes signed a petition last year stating their specific concern about the statement and demanding an apology, but curiously none was forthcoming. It is therefore obvious that the core group of 88 is only interested in student concerns that fit into their own political agenda.

They asked, "What does a social disaster sound like?" Well, thanks for showing us.

Finally, it would be useful to remember French politician Aristide Briand, who famoulsy said: "The man who is not a socialist at twenty has no heart, but if he is still a socialist at forty he has no head." I am sure that the G88 will ignore the Duke Conservative Union for being heartless, but it beats being headless any day of the week.

Debra @ 10:50I must have missed something. I don't recall having seen any previous thread concerning Mr. Obama and his visit to NCCU. Can you link to it? I'm not quite sure of the tie in to this particular thread.

I agree with A. J. Donaldson that America does owe reparations, but he is being tooooo narrow, looking only at those like him. I believe a special tax should be put on every American, and then the money redistributed to all Americans who ever had an ancestor who was enslaved, killed in a war, made a serf, insulted, or otherwise hurt by somebody. SO, write a check, in the amount of $1,000,000, and mail it to yourself. AND stop whining.

Again, this matter probes much deeper than just Nifong. The ENTIRE judicial system MUST be investigated, and indictments handed out! I have been personally threatened for posting my complaints and position, and DEMAND action! I am not going to go away until I have resolution for my brother, and all of the families who have been destroyed by the corruption. The "threats" only infuriates me, and fuels me to keep the pressure going full steam ahead.Rhonda FlemingCleveland, Ohio

"It seems that many here and on the Liestoppers blog have voiced concern about the University of Delaware program of indoctrination. "

Good news about that. Victory for FIRE and common sense, in general. Setback for Klan88.FIRE statement

Victory at University of DelawareUniversity President Ends Mandatory Ideological Reeducation ProgramNovember 2, 2007

FIRE Press Release

NEWARK, Del., November 2, 2007—After an intense campaign led by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE), the University of Delaware has dropped an ideological reeducation program that was referred to in the university’s own materials as a “treatment” for students’ incorrect attitudes and beliefs.

I have a suggestion for the cultural anthropology "professors": in depth study of the Nigerian money transfer fraud as an affirmative action response to the exploitation of the whites.Sounds very scholarly, right?

Hey...does anyone know whatever happened to the court-ordered DNA test results for Crystal Mangum's post-hoax baby? I never did hear anything more about that...do you think *she* even knows who the father is? I doubt it...considering she was metro Durham's own human sperm bank.

Donna Lisker Unmasked:“The “take back the night” rally at Duke was organized in the same style Castro orchestrates public events in Cuba. Students were spoon-fed agitprop and then sent out to put on a show for the media. What a carnivale of hate it was!”----------------------(He nails the radical feminist nutcases, paragraph after paragraph. Kinda warms your heart to see the little dears taken to task. The whole article shines a bright light into their Klan activities.)---------------------------Excerpts: http://www.ifeminists.net/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.145

Duke Rape Case: The Feminist Klan Exposed

The deafening silence from Duke University in its failure to apologize to the Duke Lacrosse players, and its failure to change campus policy with respect to feminist harassment of men, has not gone unchallenged. The watershed event at Duke has ignited long-overdue scrutiny of cultish women’s studies programs that have impressed hatred and sexism towards men at our Universities

One thing is clear: feminist campus activities at Duke in 2006 did not occur because of spontaneous student outrage. They were organized by professors in the Women’s Studies department in cohort with national feminist organizations such as the National Organization for Women and the American Association of University Women.

The modern Women’s Ku Klux Klan has no business running our college campuses. The foundations of Duke University and many college campuses are in bigoted ruins.

There was a good crowd for a Friday night when most people have so many other things planned.

Parents Weekend was also going on at Duke and there were various events taking place at the same time.

As I was walking over to Love Auditorium I was even offered some beer by someone who had just come from an outdoor party/social nearby. LOL!!!

I had to decline...because I hate beer. Too bad he didn't have vino instead!

I got there quite early. There was an informal booksigning as we all sat in chairs or on a sofa around Stuart in the lobby. Most people had a long chat with him as they were getting his signature.

It was fun.

He's aware that Durham is filled with corruption, but he said that he felt it was important to highlight when a few of them came forward to do the right thing.

LOL!!!

That was a great answer on the issue and it made a lot of sense. Stuart and KC had to get information from some of these people....knowing that they had worked alongside the sleazy Nifong for many, many years.

Many more people showed up later for Stuart's talk inside Love Auditorium.

I'd like to see KC do his next appearance like this one. The Page appearance was excellent, but this atmosphere was more casual--inside a large lecture hall--where we were able to really ask questions and converse with Stuart.

I enjoyed it and was gratified by his answers to the questions.

Stuart is direct and says exactly what he thinks about the people in the Hoax.

KC is the master of understatement.....even when he might be insulting someone.....so they make a good combination.

I mentioned to Stuart that for me the Coleman affair was the most disappointing and shocking.....and let him know that Coleman is not budging at all from the letter he sent to the Chronicle. As you might recall, he even mentioned in his e-mail reply to me that in his opinion KC and Stuart had "elevated the 88 to a false status to serve their own biased purpose".

I mentioned this to Stuart and he was very blunt in saying how dishonest this is....especially after so much time has past and not one complaint about anything until now.

There were many interesting questions from the audience....and a nice evening was had by all.

I ran into Ken Larrey and Stuart conferring on the landing outside Love Auditorium when I first arrived.

I had Ken take a photo of Stuart and me; however, I brought just the 35mm because it had so much film in it that needed to be used......and I might not have loaded the film properly long ago when I did it.

Also, at that time of day, the lighting wasn't good inside the building; however, it would have been too rude to usher Stuart ouside for better lighting.....and make him feel he'd been hijacked to some photo shoot.

I hope the picture turns out.....but I have my doubts.

Stuart is neat and was so nice to the Diva!

Ken Larry is always talking on his cell phone. I don't care when....he's on the phone...orchestrating and planning something.

He made admissions that I already knew were the case, instinctively; however, it felt good to have him come out and just say it.

He said that while writing the book, he---and I suppose KC as well...(KC can tell us)---made a concerted effort not to reference too many conservatives in the media who covered the Lacrosse Hoax well....and fairly.

He did this to avoid having the book dismissed as just a rightwing vs. leftwing......conservative vs. liberal story.

He said that he did this to a fault because of the obvious dynmics of the case.

I think he was right, mostly, given what we know about the Duke faculty and Durham as a whole.

They didn't need more ammunition against lacrosse supporters and would have loved to have been able to say only conservatives were supporting the players for their own political motives.

He mentioned that Sean Hannity, LaShawn Barber, and others did a great job covering the case.

That was the message delivered Friday night by Stuart Taylor, co-author of a recent book on the Duke lacrosse case.

"It's spreading like cancer," he said, referring to the PC movement.

Taylor, who co-authored "Until Proven Innocent: Political Correctness and the Shameful Injustices of the Duke Lacrosse Rape Case" with K.C. Johnson, a New York City-based history professor and author of the Durham-In-Wonderland Web log, was invited to speak by the student group Duke Students for an Ethical Duke.

In a Levine Science Research Center auditorium, readers of his book and followers of the lacrosse case hung on the author's every word.

And he detailed his involvement in the case from start to finish.

Taylor excoriated everyone from the news media to Duke University administrators and professors to disbarred Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong.

But most of all, he decried the political correctness and mob mentality he said overtook many people.

"The picture of what you can paint of what these people did here is even darker than what we portrayed in this book," he said. "As it unravels, I believe it will just get uglier and uglier and uglier."

He was particularly harsh toward Duke professors, saying they were so far beyond the left of political spectrum that they sometimes behaved as "Stalinists" and "Fascists."

"There was such malice, malevolence and hatred that erupted from some of the Duke faculty against the lacrosse players," he said. "But there wasn't any medical evidence of rape. It was a fraud."

Although the three then-Duke lacrosse players named in the case were completely exonerated by N.C. Attorney General Roy Cooper in April, the fallout from the scandal has not gone away.

The players and their attorneys have asked for a $30 million settlement from the City of Durham and have filed a federal civil rights against the city, former District Attorney Mike Nifong and the DNA laboratory used by Nifong to examine evidence in the case.

Most recently, an attorney for one of the exonerated players has pressed for a federal investigation into the prime movers of the case.

Ken Larrey, a senior and president of Duke Students for an Ethical Duke, said he hopes the university will let the truth come out regarding the lacrosse case.

"What we're hoping for is we think there should be transparency," he said.

"They're paying a premium to keep the facts hidden," he said, referring to sealed settlements the university has already reached with the exonerated players.

Debrah,I wasn't plaintive I was inquisitive. I asked a reasonable question and got a slam answer. I have enjoyed reading the Diva's views on a variety of topics. This one however, not quite so much. I appreciate your answer and hope I understand it as you meant it: crassly put "off topic doesn't matter, I get to say whatever I want to say and how dare you ask me why".

Chen did a fairly credible job - (her mention/use of the Diva's quote was a plus) - and Ken Larrey's quote was also good.

Taylor's quote is almost scary:"As it unravels, I believe it will just get uglier and uglier and uglier."

Likely to be true: that's why the trolls keep saying "move along, nothing to see here..." like some demented Richard Nixon clone hoping to avoid the gaze of the Washington Post. Nixonian is a good description of the 88, the DA's office, the DPD, the NY Times and Nancy Grace et al, and the Duke administration, BTW. (One wonders: how many individuals can a demonic entity possess, anyway? Seems like ol' Nixon is a bit spread-thin!)

But for really ugly? When the light finally does hit 'em, you may want to put on rain gear - they might just explode like a vampire in a John Carpenter movie.

Head of the DCDL, Mr. John Fitzpatrick, demanding that motives for bringing in the feds be "pure!"

Yep, Mr. Fitzpatrick, your support of Mr. Nifong in his campaign?

Did you like Nifong's motives and the DPD's and the potbangers from Duhh: likely their motives were "pure," as well? Pure what? Purulent, maybe? You want a doctor who deals with a MRSA infection to have "pure motives," too?

If the feds come in, they'll need Hazmat garb to keep from contracting something, and vaccinations as well. The Congressional staffer's libel against NASCAR fans - (the need for innoculations) - was just a county or two off the mark. Even bureaucrats can be geographically challenged at times.

Only in this case, judging from the number of denizens from Duhh who still think "something happened," the communicable disease is called stupidity. I am hoping that any federal remedy will serve as an antidote.

Why would Linwood need a lawyer if he didn't do anything wrong.....Why would Linwood's lawyer think Linwood would be incarcerated if there is a Fed Investigation if his client wasn't guility.....something to think about. They will be copping plea deals all over Durham.... Mayor Bell should be the first to be investigated....He ran the show from the top down.________________________________

I completely agree! IMO, much of the evidence has been destroyed. The FEDS will have their work cut out for them, but SHOULD be able to unearth enough dirt to actually indict. What this case really needs is a whistle blower who is brave enough to either leak information, or just be forthwith, and guaranteed protection.

Debrah: Just a super fantastic job of providing the board with information about Stuart Taylor, Jr.'s talk at Duke!

I believe in synergy and would not doubt that the intelligent words of Taylor along with the verbally energetic, intelligent responses from people like Ken Larrey, Kristin Butler and you provided Chen with everything she needed to write a very positive article. Again, well done!_______________

MAC: Your John Carpenter analogy was gory but funny! Light is bad for vampires and other things that go bump in the night. _______________

RRH: MIRE vs. FIRE is nice! You should send that along to the folks at FIRE. You are right, it works at a couple of different levels. MOO! Gregory

Crystal Gail Mangum has not had her own Wikipedia page for some time; her page is a redirect to the main article on the lacrosse case.

For those who want to improve that article, or the Mike Nifong article, I cannot stress enough: CITE RELIABLE SOURCES. This is the single biggest mistake most people making when they try to add to a controversial article. It's not enough to just insert what you know to be true; you need to cite a reliable source so that people know how you know it to be true.

...One of the most interesting points of the entire discussion was what Stuart said about political correctness....I have longed for someone to come up with a more fitting phrase. That one doesn't do it anymore....To paraphrase Stuart:..."Political correctness" is too benign a term for what this does to people. Because of the destruction and harm it causes, a stronger term needs to be found for the kind of malice that's behind it....He called it a "cancer" as the Diva has so many times....I think the people in Wonderland--those who are creative and thoughtful--should put your heads together and come up with a really serious alternative new phrase to be used....That's your next project!::When working with young college students I have had much success with the old phrase 'Thought Police' as opposed to Politically Correct.

Youngsters 'get' Thought Police but become confused with the idea of being Politically Correct.

They also have fun with Thought Police in Training; Amateur Thought Police; The CIA of the Thought Police; Kids who have no Thoughts at all.... and so forth.

You can draw and then 'park' a Thought Police Officer on the chalk board and the students can call him or her into the discussion.

And of course, youngsters can cause the Duke Thought Police to fight with the Durham Thought Police for entertainment.

It is just important to keep the Thought Police focused on suggestions that one MUST think in a certain way. There is no reason to call in the Thought Police in a classroom unless the MUST suggestion come into the discussion.

The youngsters will eventually get around to discussing the concept of ...Buyer Beware...as they struggle with having choices in America. ::GP

ORONO, Maine - A University of Maine student alleges her former professor offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution or were arrested defending free speech.

"When we heard the story, we said ‘Hey, this is probably worthwhile our doing a news release,’" Blackwell said. "When you expose leftist abuses, it invigorates conservatives. I am sure that the administration, like most administrations we deal with, is not happy when leftist abuses come to life. They far prefer to have students under their thumb and indoctrinated”

When I was a beer swilling, pot smoking, lax playing, Young and the Restless, Saturday Night Live watching hooligan at Duke in the 1970s, Political Correctness wasn't called that yet, but it was all around us, and we weren't it. We called it Social Awareness. It was not cool to be Aware. Social Awareness was taboo.

Crystal Gail Mangum has not had her own Wikipedia page for some time; her page is a redirect to the main article on the lacrosse case.

For those who want to improve that article, or the Mike Nifong article, I cannot stress enough: CITE RELIABLE SOURCES. This is the single biggest mistake most people making when they try to add to a controversial article. It's not enough to just insert what you know to be true; you need to cite a reliable source so that people know how you know it to be true.

11/3/07 12:20 PM

This is *exactly* why I didn't attempt to do updates--I feel wholly unqualified to make such updates myself, even though a cursory read through of those pages last night revealed to me the need for updates. I could see the places that needed updating, but would have to spend much time tracking down sources to back up the updates.

There are *many* faithful readers here in Wonderland who already have those sources at the ready, and thus, I tossed out the suggestion that updates be made.

ORONO, Maine - A University of Maine student alleges her former professor offered extra credit to class members if they burned the American flag or the U.S. Constitution or were arrested defending free speech.

I would've asked the professor if he was offering extra credit for cross burning, as well. After all, flag burning isn't illegal in the U.S. -- unless maybe if you burn a Mexican flag -- but one can actually get years in prison for burning a cross. Now, that's a serious lesson about free speech in America.

(I would not have asked the prof about hanging a noose over a faculty member's door, as I expect that half his colleagues have done that to their own doors already this Fall.)

It's worth noting that on the card that Monica Chen gave me, she is a business reporter.

She was perhaps filling in for someone from the news department.

In any case, her business background and attention to detail probably accounted for the quality of her article.

Some of you might want to send her a compliment through e-mail. Given the performance of the H-S, it was refreshing to interact with Chen last night....someone who behaved professionally and used an objective approach.

Thanks for the correction, but "purulent" was what I actually intended, not "prurient." So I did use the right term - at least for my intents and purposes. In any case, it's a medical term, not a legal term. It's kinda what you might find under a scab, y'know? Gross, but considering the content of the character of many of Duhh's denizens, it's probably a medically sustainable definition for the "something-happened" folks.

The solution John Fitzpatrick has in mind is probably along the lines of Bactine, when an amputation is probably in order, as well as a general quarantine.

"MIRE" is a good term! Fits. Traveler has a couple of good suggestions, too.

Colleges and Universities which promote Thought Police tactics - (good term, Gary Packwood!) - could hold special RA camps:"Bootcamp for Bootlickers." Or as the WW II Vichy French used to say (according to National Lampoon):"If the boot fits, lick it!"

We had a special term for RA's, anyway, a special place in our hearts for them. Yup. Not so surprising that many of them (as in U. of Delaware) jump on the good ship Gestapo.

I still like MOO Gregory's term "Correctology." It brings up images of a colon-cleanse (or a colonoscopy,) and is applied to the very same kind of creature, organ or whatever.

One way to get young people to resist is to call it Mandatory Thought. (M.T.) RAs seem to like all-things-mandatory. "We're having a mandatory meeting about Mandatory Thought tonight at 7 pm! It's MANDATORY that you be there!" (yeah, F-U!)

Why would Linwood need a lawyer if he didn't do anything wrong.....Why would Linwood's lawyer think Linwood would be incarcerated if there is a Fed Investigation if his client wasn't guility.....something to think about. They will be copping plea deals all over Durham.... Mayor Bell should be the first to be investigated....He ran the show from the top down.________________________________

I completely agree! IMO, much of the evidence has been destroyed. The FEDS will have their work cut out for them, but SHOULD be able to unearth enough dirt to actually indict. What this case really needs is a whistle blower who is brave enough to either leak information, or just be forthwith, and guaranteed protection.

Rhonda Fleming

11/3/07 10:48 AM

Rhonda--have you ever lived in Atlanta? I used to have a boss named Rhonda Fleming, years ago. I've often wondered if you and she were the same.

Regardless--many condolences on the loss of your brother. Our family has also been touched by murder--and it is a horror that never goes away. Even if the killer (or killers) is caught, tried and convicted, your family will still be faced with endless years of heart and gut-wrenching hearings and appeals.

Virgil Delano Presnell killed 8 year old Lori Ann Smith in May 1974. He led police to her body in a local creekbed where he drowned her and confessed to the killing. He was convicted and sentenced to death for her murder in 1976. He appealed and won a new penalty phase trial. His new trial was in 1999, where he was once again sentenced to death for his crimes.

As we approach 2008, we still wait to see his his fully and completely adjudicatd sentence carried out--nearly 34 years after Lori was brutally taken from us in a kidnap/rape/murder as she walked home from school with a friend.

It is a travesty of justice that 34 years after Presnell brutally murdered this beautiful little girl, her killer is now THE longest serving death row inmate in the USA.

Thirty-four years is a LONG time to wait to see your daughter's killer face justice.

The nightmare never goes away. This evil POS destroyed Lori's family when he acted as her judge, jury and executioner that afternoon. She got no appeals, no due process, just lungs full of dirt, water and plant matter.

Her parents marriage could not take the stress and they divorced. They have remained united in seeking justice for their beloved daughter--and I join them in this quest.

You might want to visit www.murder.com. They have an *excellent* board for the families and friends of murder victims. You will receive much love and support there--and help with pushing the legal process.

Rhonda - Many of us have lost loved ones - no matter what the course, there is no closure and we miss them our whole lives. It is like putting a ton of rock on your back - it does not get any lighter but we get use to carrying it. None the less, the moving finger has written and nothing we can do will remove a word. Acceptance is the answer to all our problems today.

Many thanks, then, for taking your valuable time not only to count out comments but to type out two comments yourself. That said, I believe this issue is off-topic, and further comments on it from any side will not be cleared.

...One way to get young people to resist is to call it Mandatory Thought. (M.T.) RAs seem to like all-things-mandatory. "We're having a mandatory meeting about Mandatory Thought tonight at 7 pm! It's MANDATORY that you be there!" (yeah, F-U!).::If you want to cut the head of the snake in the first place just require that any group with a program for students must submit a curriculum that will go before the faculty curriculum committee...and the faculty senate...for vote.

A MANDATORY review of your curriculum is MANDATED by the faculty senate.

We actually did that and many student affairs people decided to move on to the next university that was asleep at the switch.::GP

Loved reading all the comments re Stuart Taylor's talk last night. Thanks for going and giving us so much detail, Debrah!!

I am also happy about the retraction of "MIRE" at the University of Delaware. My college freshman daughter looked at the description of the program and, much to my relief, said, "Wow Mom, that's just scary" as opposed to, "Oh, we have something similar to that at my school." This response despite the fact she is taking a class on race--but it seems that class has a much broader scope (worldwide and throughout history) and an exploratory, multi-faceted approach rather than the heavy-handed ideological indoctrination at U of D. Whew!

To Debrah, Excellent reporting, “feet on the ground” is a valuable resource.

Re: New name for political correctness

I think “MIRE” is on the right track. I remember reading about the inventors of Yahoo! The name Yahoo!is an acronym for "Yet Another Hierarchical Officious Oracle.”The real work for them was getting people to think Yahoo! when they wanted to search the internet. You know that worked out very well.

After you actually use that a few times, it seems okay to me. MIRE=(Mandatory Ideological Re- Education.)

We could use DeMIRED, like detoxed, meaning clean of bias and bigotry.

We have an excellent start. There are really clever posters here. Being on the cutting edge of living history has some responsibilities. Faculty reform is in debate across the USA, as our young adults see the light.

High Five to FIRE.

I was thinking of a group name:Alarm = Against Leftist Agenda Requiring Mind-bending.

I also have a soft spot for "Correctology," although it's a little dignified for the "street." Something a little handier, more slashing and visceral, may be needed to fend off an imminent ideological mugging. (One packs "heat" for a heist or a rumble, not the "S&W Model 4006-40," as cool as that sounds.)

"Mandatory-thought" or "-think" or "Mandatory-anything" is very good. Could become a popular buzzword in truncated form. One can almost hear a student's dismissive "oh, that is soooo mandatory," as she walks away from a pot-banger rally.

"Thought Police," is of course a classic already, and probably overdue for a revival. For cineastes, there will always be Strother Martin's "You've Got to Get Your Mind Right" from Cool Hand Luke. "Mind Righting"?

Because political correctness has very little to do with actual "thought"– it is conditioned, reflexive socially-reinforced behavior (Pavlovian Politics?)– I played with some phrases that hinted at the ritualistic quality of PC's genuflections to race/class/gender: "obligatory obeisance," "gender genuflection," "absolutionism."

But they all made "PC" sound so much like some sort of religious faith or mindless cult, that I...

Jeny,Thank you for the kind words, and for the link, I will definitely go there, sadly I know we are not alone. No, I have never lived in Atlanta, and am not that Rhonda. Sometimes I do wish I was another person though. But, it is times like these when steel is forged by the fire, and must be put it in God's hands.

Yes, losing a loved one to murder is a horrific and epidemic tragedy too many families endure. But, regardless of our pain we must never, ever give up. If it were not for the families and friends, many cases would remain unsolved, my heart aches for those who have died never knowing what became of their loved one.

It is something you can never "get over." My quest gives me some sort of strength over the nightmares. Losing my only brother to such a vicious death does indeed haunt me. I find myself reflecting to our childhood memories, and weep for a future that will never be the same. Jack was more than a brother, son, and mentor to not just the family, but others as well. His life touched so many, and the world is a darker orb without his light.

I know the focus of these boards are for the LAX3, but yet the people MUST learn of of the other crimes that have been ignored, and resulted in DEATH. What media or public official has spoken up on our behalves? There are much more heinous crimes being committed and abetted by law enforcement, and the "officials" who could give a damn, and these truths must be exposed and addressed!

I have been extremely vocal about the corruption, have made countless "official" complaints and pleas for help, and have instead been not only ignored, but personally threatened. It took the Durham Sheriff's Department over a year to send our mother one report? Rights? My brother was found executed, then taken to a funeral home for 30 hours before they even took him to the morgue. Not to mention the complete lack of protocol, and due process of law! The details are appalling, and now almost 3 years later and 3 DA's later, we still are "waiting" for the DA to do the investigation which was never done?

Jack is not the only innocent murder in Durham from 2005. Janet Araboa, a married young and pregnant mother was stabbed nearly 30 times, and has also yet to be solved as well. Just imagine how you would feel if we were you?

We have begged for JUSTICE, and received only echoes.The world knows about the corruption, yet our own government only sits and watches, still doing nothing. Nifong was not alone in his deceit, you better believe it goes ALL the way up to the top. Countless families are suffering needlessly while "The Powers That Be" MAKES us all wait, and wait and wait, until we either die, or divine intervention steps in.

And I have faith God will let these truths be known. And that it will be soon.Rhonda FlemingCleveland, Ohio

Your 12:48 post made me for some reason think of a bad South Park episode in which "Thugniggaintellectual" Neal is dressed up as an oversized, black Cartman standing in front of a class yelling "YOU WILL RESPECT MY AUTHORI-TIE!!!"

"If you want to cut the head of the snake in the first place just require that any group with a program for students must submit a curriculum that will go before the faculty curriculum committee...and the faculty senate...for vote. A MANDATORY review of your curriculum is MANDATED by the faculty senate.We actually did that and many student affairs people decided to move on to the next university that was asleep at the switch."----------Well, it all depends on the composition of the faculty senate. Remember that 88er Paula McClain is the new head of Duke's faculty senate, and I shudder to think who serves on the curriculum committees in Humanities there now, probably the same types that served on the Campus Culture Committee that came up with a proposal for mandatory classes that were mire-like.

Words have two meanings. They have the meaning of the expressor...the speaker or the writer. And then they have the meaning of the receptor ... the hearer or the reader.

Now if theose two parties speak and hear, read and write, a different language, then they will certainly have difficulty in understanding the intent and meaning of words.

It becomes more interesting when the same base language is being spoken, but the two parties have diametrically opposed underlying philosophical constructs guiding their respective understanding. Then, the words spoken by one with a specific intended meaning can be heard by the other to have a substantially different meaning.

For example, in the case of the University of Delaware, when they published the notion that "all whites are racist" ... many whites and even some blacks, asians and hispanics would have (and did) recoil in horror that anyone could make such a statement and be viewed as anything other than a purveyor of racial distrust and hatred. But then there would be others, a smaller group of whites and many blacks and hispanics and asians who would nod in agreement at what is a convenient way to view American social structure and a way to support their respective political positions. The interpretation would be constructed upon the foundation of previous understanding and experience,... and even when significant cognitive dissonance ensues, the receptor wiould attempt to reconcile the received information with prior understanding.

This is why people such as Victoria Peterson can voice an opinion that Mike Nifong has integrity even as he walks to jail, while others gape at what appears to be her egregious failure to view and understand the facts. This is why many who post here view the comments of someone who defends the accuser, CMG, as totally unworthy of consideration nad devoid of a reality basis (whether it is or not).

So, I now take it as a given that I have a view of the world, a construct of what is and what is not acceptable behavior, what is and what is not ethical, what is and what is not moral, what is and what is not an accurate understanding of reality and way of understanding reality.

I understand that I may be wrong in my understanding. I also know that my understanding will evolve.

But I have my understanding and I now defy and view as enemies those whose alternative understanding is averse, who espouse views that are so contrary to my understanding that I could never agree to their position.

For I can only believe that after great thought that I am right and they are wrong.

Why hasn't Peter Lange been taken to task fot the PC Thought Police at Duke. The Provost is the chief academic officer, right? It seems to me that Lange has dsone a masterful job of covering his own ass and shifting fault and blame to others.

Thanks all who liked my "MIRE" thoughts, but I think only the kids can come up with the right replacement word(s) for "politically correct" (which itself is a term that originated in Lenin-Stalinism and was revived on U.S. campuses in the 1980s).

We older folks are not cool enough to introduce new language.

For instance, what I've been calling "88ism", the kids who post at The Duke Chronicle website call "diversity racism". I imagine I will be adopting their term before they adopt mine, but that's o.k. ... They're cooler than I am.

Could that be shortened to "Diversitism?" That's a term that a Gallaudet poster (2005) used for "the kind of diversity that destroys instead of building."

The Bible warns against "divers weights and divers measures" (Proverbs 20:10) That would mean that diversitistic practices are, likewise, an abomination. Something like Nartey getting a student award, while three innocent students faced jail - all of these events because of the race(s) of those involved.

Common usage (probably in the City of Duhh):"I went to the doctor, and he told me I prolly had a diversitism, and that I needed a colostomy to probe my inner beings."

Instead of thinking up new Wikpedia terms, research the numerous crimes that have been totally ignored. You want a viable term, just use "BULLSHIT." Educate yourselves on what I have said. I completely agree with Stuart saying "things are only getting uglier."

Jack Cashill's What's the Matter with California, a worthy read on the PC Balkanization of the state, introduces a term to describe the narcissistic self-pity of racialists, genderists, angry students and diversitists, and their use of it to evoke "white guilt." He calls it:

"victim tripping."

A little 60s, perhaps, but so is the reflex. (A bit reminiscent of Tom Wolfe's "mau-mauing the flack-catchers," the second of half his 1970 book title Radical Chic.

Because "political correctness" is supposed reflect one's "sensitivity" to the historical grievances of the, um, aggrieved, perhaps a new term can be coined based on the backwards-looking aspect of "PC" (funny that PCists think of themselves as "progressive"). I was thinking of a play on the term "retro."

IT types and house remodelers are familiar with "retro-fitting"– an attempt to bring something up to date by modifying something new to work with what's already in place that's old. Exactly the way PCists take outdated historical grievances (when there is, in fact, a genuine historical basis for the grievance) and cast it as modern, "progressive" thinking.

I believe that some of us are in this "new phrase mode" for the duration.

However, if your suggestion for a new term is any indication of the future, I must concur that things will get uglier.

DIW was not created to explore unsolved murder cases in the U.S. Haven't you exhausted this topic on the other blogs?

I believed that the rest of us will stay on our topic.

11/4/07 3:06 PM

Ummm, Excuse me, but my brother's murder case was put into both Nifong and Linwood's grimy clutches, and more than gives me cause to blog on every blog site I can find to make these HORRIFIC crimes before the eyes of the public.

These men are what this topic is about, NOT some catch phrase to be the new little word of the week.

I also do not think you are the personal voice for the cause of DIW. It's inception was to expose lies, and corruption by legal officials and law enforcement. I would say unsolved murders, and sexual slavery trumps mere deception in one lone case.

It is far beyond ugly, it is unfathomable. There is no word to describe what our families have endured, and rightfully have reason to shout from the roofs to have our cases investigated and solved.

If "the rest of you" wish to banter, why not use messenger instead of a forum for serious discussions of enormous problems involving Durham's government and legal officials, as well as our own national government.

I agree with your assessment: the lacrosse hoax seems to be more of a pattern than an isolated incident - contradicting what people testifying both for and against Nifong have said. It is, as is obvious from your experience, a pattern.

The City of Duhh didn't just become the model of stupidity overnight, nor did corruption just appear when the three young men were falsely accused. Nifong knew how to work the system: it was his system.

This is really only the first time the light's been shining on these cockroaches. What is needed is a really strong insecticide.

Well debrah, I do not need your advice, nor your rhetoric. You have no idea how much blood, sweat and tears I have put forth for my brother, the LAX3 and other murder cases.

Needless keyboard repetitions? Are you serious? That is why I am blogging. My calls and letters to government officials have been neglected, so I decided to go public. My family has a direct tie to Durham's seedy officials, and you and nobody else will insult my intelligence by hurling flippant insults.

I find all this boring banter rather stifling, and in desperate need of fresh air. If you are so concerned, then get off your soap box and protest. What I have endured I wish on nobody. There are indeed more fish to fry, and I have my skillet ready.

Just what have "you" contributed to the cause? From what I have read of your posts are just filled with off topic and irrelevant banter. Try a bit of respect, it goes a lot further than bile. RhondaWell debrah, I do not need your advice, nor your rhetoric. You have no idea how much blood, sweat and tears I have put forth for my brother, the LAX3 and other murder cases.

Needless keyboard repetitions? Are you serious? That is why I am blogging. My calls and letters to government officials have been neglected, so I decided to go public. My family has a direct tie to Durham's seedy officials, and you and nobody else will insult my intelligence by hurling flippant insults.

I find all this boring banter rather stifling, and in desperate need of fresh air. If you are so concerned, then get off your soap box and protest. What I have endured I wish on nobody. There are indeed more fish to fry, and I have my skillet ready.

Just what have "you" contributed to the cause? From what I have read of your posts are just filled with off topic and irrelevant banter. Try a bit of respect, it goes a lot further than bile.

Debrah said... "It's inception was to expose lies, and corruption by legal officials and law enforcement."

KC created this blog out of concern for his own profession....and what the Duke Gang of 88 was doing to bastardize it.

His exploration of their exploits and how they helped facilitate the Lacrosse Hoax is at the heart of why we are here.

Not murder cases.

It always helps to know background information. Then perhaps one will be able to find the most compatible forum.

11/5/07 9:20 AM

I see. You think it's OK to be a heartless bitch to Rhonda--whose enemies are the same as the Duke 3 and KC's--simply because her cause is NOT the Duke 3.

Funny--I've not seen you take a stab at Herschel Parker who posts here ONLY about Brodhead's academic slander against him several years back, while posting NOTHING about the Duke 3 case.

That's alright by you...but Rhonda can't mention political and law enforcement corruption in Durham that prevents the investigation and solving of her brother's murder?

Why is that? Did KC put you in charge of censoring posts here?

Unless you've ever been visited by a murder in your family, you have NO idea the pain Rhonda and her family have experienced in losing her brother.

To have that pain compounded by the CROOKED Durham officials who refused to investige his murder is beyond horrific. At least our family didn't have to deal with that. We've only spent 34 years--and counting--waiting for the cretin who murdered Lori to be executed.

I would suggest you reexamine your little black heart and keep your flippant comments to Rhonda to yourself.

This behavior of yours is certainly MOST unbecoming of The Diva (and I usually love your posts).

I agree with your assessment: the lacrosse hoax seems to be more of a pattern than an isolated incident - contradicting what people testifying both for and against Nifong have said. It is, as is obvious from your experience, a pattern.

The City of Duhh didn't just become the model of stupidity overnight, nor did corruption just appear when the three young men were falsely accused. Nifong knew how to work the system: it was his system.

This is really only the first time the light's been shining on these cockroaches. What is needed is a really strong insecticide.

I don not blog at LS but do read it. Parker writes the same thing all the time, also. I find it boring and skip over his stuff - I do not care about Melville and a bad review. People at LS tried to help Rhonda and she went off the blog. We all have had bad experiences. We have no idea what others have lost and many of us have lost someone very dear, but nothing is changing the course of events. As the big S wrote -"laugh and the world laughs with you - cry and you cry alone."

Thank you Jeny and mac. I will not forget your daughter either when I pray. My quest is to expose the corruption, and bring justice to our loved ones who cannot speak for themselves. I am not swayed by black hearted people. Their ignorance and cruelty shows what they are made of, we need not defend ourselves. If I let every negative comment from the peanut gallery get to me I would not have the courage to take a stand.

I will NEVER quit until there is indeed accountability, and pray that God will turn our tears into triumph, and some good will come from our pain and loss. From my heart to yours, i wish you love and peace. Rhonda

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About Me

I am from Higgins Beach, in Scarborough, Maine, six miles south of Portland. After spending five years as track announcer at Scarborough Downs, I left to study fulltime in graduate school, where my advisor was Akira Iriye. I have a B.A. and Ph.D. from Harvard, and an M.A. from the University of Chicago. At Brooklyn College and the CUNY Graduate Center, I teach classes in 20th century US political, constitutional, and diplomatic history; in 2007-8, I was Fulbright Distinguished Chair for the Humanities at Tel Aviv University.

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"From the Scottsboro Boys to Clarence Gideon, some of the most memorable legal narratives have been tales of the wrongly accused. Now “Until Proven Innocent,” a new book about the false allegations of rape against three Duke lacrosse players, can join these galvanizing cautionary tales . . , Taylor and Johnson have made a gripping contribution to the literature of the wrongly accused. They remind us of the importance of constitutional checks on prosecutorial abuse. And they emphasize the lesson that Duke callously advised its own students to ignore: if you’re unjustly suspected of any crime, immediately call the best lawyer you can afford."--Jeffrey Rosen, New York Times Book Review